Initially, this pulpy erotic-thriller seems schlocky in a rather distracting sort of way, content with shocking its audience simply for the sake of it. However, as 'Basic Instinct (1992)' moves further and further into its twisty narrative, it starts to feel like a dollar-store paperback and it becomes oddly compelling in its own way. The dialogue isn't especially clever but, once everything has clicked together, it just sort of works. The mystery at the heart of the piece is, essentially, revealed very early on, but the movie does a good job of introducing doubt into the fray; its outcome isn't as obvious as it may initially appear. Unfortunately, the film is one shot too long. This final moment removes any sense of ambiguity, something that would have made the ending - and, even, the entire affair in retrospect - actually rather interesting. Still, the experience concludes in a fairly satisfying way. In the end, the picture is entertaining despite its flaws. 7/10
Review of Basic Instinct
